MNR releases final version of Bats and Bat Habitats: Guidelines for Wind Power Projects

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has approved and released the final version of its Bats and Bat Habitats: Guidelines for Wind Power Projects.  A decision was made on July 29, 2011 to proceed with the proposal for the guidelines, following a period of public consultation during which 68 comments were received.  The online comments can be viewed at: comments. 

The MNR says that it has incorporated the following recommendations received during the consultation period into the guidelines:

• Enhanced protection for bat hibernacula habitat has been provided by increasing the significant wildlife habitat designation associated with hibernacula from 200m to 1000m. 
• Methodologies related to significant bat maternity roosts/colonies have been revised and coordinated with Ecological Land Classification.
• Monitoring methods for evaluating bat significant wildlife habitat and post-construction mortality monitoring have been revised to reflect public/industry comments and scientific recommendations.
• Data submission procedures related to the Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database has been detailed.
• Ecological Effectiveness Monitoring Plan information requirements have been updated to reflect the Ministry of the Environment’s Renewable Energy Approval Regulation amendments of January 2011.